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Holdings
Sanskrit Inscriptions from Mandār Hill
Identity area
Reference code
GB 891 SC36
Publication status
Published
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
6 items rolled paper, 3 backed with canvas
Date(s)
- 1782 - 1826 (Creation)
Context area
Name of creator
(1763-1839)
Biographical history
Lt. Col. William Francklin, soldier and scholar of Persian and Indian history, was born in 1763. He was the son of Thomas Francklin, Professor of Greek at Cambridge. William Francklin joined the East India Company's Bengal Native Infantry in 1783. In 1786, he undertook a tour to Persia, for which he published his book 'Observations made on a tour from Bengal to Persia, in the years 1786-7'. He is known for authoring 'The history of the reign of Shah-Aulum, the present emperor of Hindostaun' (1798), being a detailed account of the decline of the Mughal Empire.
He retired from the army in 1825 and returned for a time to England, where he became librarian of the Royal Asiatic Society in 1838, having been on the Society’s council in 1836. He contributed many articles to the Society’s journal and gave several lectures. He was also a member of the committee of the Oriental Translation Fund in 1835. He was also a member of the Asiatic Society of Bengal.
Repository
Royal Asiatic Society Archives
Archival history
The inscriptions were copied by, or for, Col. William Francklin during his time in India.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The inscriptions were acquired by the Society from Francklin as part of a larger donation on 4 November 1826.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Copies of inscriptions from Mandār Hill. These are labelled D, E and F with two copies of each inscription, one backed with canvas and the duplicate on paper. These are not labelled as to their specific location but that they were presented to the Royal Asiatic Society by Col. Francklin on 4 November 1826. According to the donations register amongst the items donated by Francklin were "Six Sanscrit Inscriptions from Mundar Hill, in duplicate". As these are labelled D, E & F, it is presumed that A,B & C were also present in the collections at one time.
Please note these inscriptions are in a fragile condition.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open. Please contact the archivist. Details can be found here : https://royalasiaticarchives.org/. The archive is open on Tuesdays and Fridays 10-5, and Thursdays 2-5. Access is to any researcher without appointment but it will help if an appointment is made via phone or email. Please bring photo ID.
Conditions governing reproduction
Digital photography (without flash) for research purposes may be permitted upon completion of a copyright declaration form, and with respect to current UK copyright law.
Language of material
- English
- Sanskrit
Additional information
Related units of description
The Society's collections hold publications written by Francklin and artworks donated by him. Details can be found in our Library catalogue: https://ras.koha-ptfs.co.uk/.
Full details of Francklin's donation can be found in the Donations Register for 1823-1831.
Description identifier
gb891-sc36
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